Dual purpose diplay fixture

ABSTRACT

A display structure convertible between use as for displaying plants and for storage. The display structure includes at least one display case that is pivotally mounted on said display structure to allow movement between a horizontal display use and a vertical storage use. A support bracket supports hanging baskets as well as holding a misting tube to water plants hanging from said support bracket.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/711,010 filed on Aug.17, 2004, pending.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of watering systems for plants, andparticularly to the field of a bench or table top watering system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garden centers, nurseries, florists and other places where flowers,plants and trees are sold or displayed use display stands for thedisplay of those plants. These display stands may be simply tables, butcan also be designed not only to display the plants but to providewatering for those plants as well.

One problem with the existing display stands is the bulk of the stands.Since access is normally provided on both sides of the display stands,these stands tend to take up considerable space. This is particularly aproblem when the display stands are used for seasonal displays. Once theseasonal display is no longer needed, the space occupied by the displaystands is wasted. Since space is typically at a premium, these displaystands are an expense that must be borne by the center. Additionally,the empty display stands are unappealing. While the display stands maybe used for other purposes, this use is typically inefficient.

One attempt to solve this problem is to disassemble the displays when nolonger needed for a particular season. This requires considerable timein disassembly and then reassembly. The disassembled tables must bestored and hopefully the parts are not lost. Also, the tables may be tobe moved or taken down which can be very labor intensive.

Many garden centers, nurseries, florists, etc. also use hanging displaysto display their plants. Since display space is at a premium, it isoften useful to combine the display stands and hanging displays.

Thus a need exists for a plant display system for providing a displaytable that can be compactly stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides solutions to these and other needs byproviding a display structure for use in garden centers, nurseries aswell as other retail centers. The display structure of the presentinvention is able to convert from use as a primary display to asecondary display or to a storage position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the displaystructure includes several display cases for displaying plants, flowers,and other items. The display cases are able to pivot from the horizontaldisplay position to a vertical position as a secondary display orstorage. This enables the space that was occupied by the display casesto be utilized for other products, most noticably Christmas trees, orother seasonal displays. The display structures may also be stackedtogether for storage as well.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the display structuresprovide an elongated bracket for supporting hanging plants.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the system provides aself watering system for display structures for plants. The system ofthe present invention provides a watering system for an attractivedisplay for retail and wholesale sales of plants. The system of apreferred embodiment of the present invention allows plants to selfwater and maintain themselves without the intervention of workers.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system providesa display structure that self waters plants without the need of specialplant containers. Ordinary plant containers of any size, shape and colormay be used as long as they have a typical drain hole on the bottom orsides near the bottom of the container. The plants may be moved orreplaced without concern.

The system of a preferred embodiment provides a self watering systemthat is clean and attractive and does not detract from the display ofthe plants. The self watering system is hidden and not visible tocustomers.

The system of a preferred embodiment is simple and does not requireexpensive controls or equipment that would require constant maintenance.Once the system is setup, it is simple to maintain and only occasionallyrequires maintenance.

Water is supplied evenly to all parts of the capillary mat so thatplants are able to self water without regard to their location on thedisplay structure. The reservoir is able to support the capillary matand plants without the capillary mat sitting in the water itself.

In another embodiment, the folding display system does not use the selfwater features. Instead, the system utilizes expanded metal or otherdecking material and the plants are periodically manually watered.

These and other features of the present invention are evident from theensuing description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a display structure for plants of a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of the display structure of theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the pivoting display case of the embodiment of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of the display cases pivoted in avertical orientation.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is another preferred embodiment of the display structure of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with thedisplay cases in a vertical orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a system for providing an attractivedisplay for plants. It is to be expressly understood that thedescriptive embodiments set forth herein are intended for explanatorypurposes and is not intended to unduly limit the scope of the claimedinventions. Other embodiments and applications not described herein areconsidered to be within the scope of the invention. It is also to beexpressly understood that while specific embodiments for the componentsof the system are discussed, other equivalents to these embodiments thatperform substantially similar functions are within the scope of theclaimed inventions.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.1-5. The display stand 10 of this embodiment includes a rigid frame 20having vertical members 22, 24 mounted on a lower base stand 30. Lowerbase stand includes cross members 32, 34 and vertical base members 36,38, 40, 42, 44, 46. Angled support members 48, 50, 52, 54 also securevertical members 22-28 to lower base stand 30. Cross members alsosupport vertical members 22, 24. It is to be expressly understood thatthe display structure may be formed in other embodiments and structuralmechanisms. The display stand is intended to support the pivotabledisplay cases as discussed below.

Display cases 70, 72 are secured to the lower base stand 30 by pivotalattachment mechanism 74, 76, 78, 80. These pivotal attachment mechanismsmay include bolt and nut attachments, rivets, or any other mechanismthat will secure the display cases to the lower base stand whileallowing for pivoting movement of the display cases relative to thelower base stand. Detent mechanisms are provided on the lower base unitto hold the display cases 70, 72 in place relative to the lower baseunit when in the horizontal position.

Display case 82 is also secured to the cross members 60, 62 by pivotattachment mechanisms 84, 86. The display case is thus secured to thedisplay stand while pivotal relative to the cross members. A detentmechanism is also provided to secure the display case 82 in placerelative to the display stand when the display case is in the horizontalposition.

In this preferred embodiment, beams 90, 92 and 94, 96 are secured to theupper end of the display stand on the vertical members 22, 24. Hangingplants may be mounted from these structure members or display cases maybe mounted to these structure members. In this embodiment, the structuremembers or display cases are mourned permanently at an angle, althoughin other embodiments, the tops may be pivotally mounted as well.

In use, the display stand 10 is set up as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Sincemany of the plant displays are seasonal, the stand is not always needed.In that situation, the display cases 70, 72, and 82 are simply rotatedupwards toward the center of the display stand, as shown in FIGS. 3-6.Once the display cases are perpendicular to the ground, as shown in FIG.5, additional space is freed to allow the display stands to be storedaway, or other displays placed where the display cases had beenformerly.

Another feature in a preferred embodiment of the present invention isthe ability to attach additional display stands to one another. As shownin FIG. 7, display stand 100 is attached integrally to display stand 10.Display case 182 is pivotally secured between vertical members 24 ofdisplay stand 10 and vertical members 120. Similarly, lower displaycases 170,172 are pivotally attached to lower base unit vertical members42, 44, 46 and lower base unit vertical members 142, 144, 146. The upperstructure members or display cases 190, 192 are secured between theupper end of vertical members 24 and vertical member 120.

The display cases 170,172,182 are able to pivot into a verticalorientation in a manner similar to display cases 70, 72, 82. As shown inFIG. 8, the display cases 70, 72, 82, 170, 172, 182 are pivotedvertically upward when they are no longer needed. This providesadditional space for other displays or for storage.

The systems may be used as plant display systems with or withoutwatering systems built in. The above-described embodiment utilizesdisplay tops that allow not only plants but other types of seasonal orpermanent products to be displayed as needed while allowing for thestorage of the display tops in a compact manner when not needed.

In another preferred embodiment, the above-described embodiment may beused with a built-in self watering system such as the system describedin related patent application Ser. No. 10/613,370, filed on Jul. 2,2003. This system provides a reservoir on the display tops. Thereservoir includes a perforated material formed of a honeycomb material,such as plastic, rubber, metallic or any other suitable material. Theperforations or honeycombs are evenly spaced across the top of thetable. The perforations may be cylindrical, or in one preferredembodiment includes one or more layers of a mesh material. Thisminimizes stagnation and pollution of water that may be in the reservoirfor some time.

It is to be expressly understood that the reservoir could also includeother water containing mechanisms, such as horizontal channels, or evena sponge like material that is firm enough to support the capillary matand plants contained thereon.

A supply pipe extends across one side of the reservoir top connectedthrough either the undersurface, side or over the rails of the top to awater source. The supply pipe includes a series of evenly spacedperforations. In this preferred embodiment, the top also includes standpipes in opposing corners of the top to prevent overfilling of the top.

The water supply pipe can be connected to a water hose or plumbed to apermanent connection. The water supply pipe can also be interconnectedto water supply pipes on additional display tables as well.

A capillary mat is placed over the honeycomb reservoir. In the preferredembodiment, capillary mat is formed from a woven barrier fabric thatwill wick water and other fluids evenly upward from the honeycombreservoir. It is to be expressly understood that other materials may beused as well, including spandex, polyethylene and other woven ormaterials that are suitable for wicking water. Also, mesh material maybe used that is resistant to organic growth to minimize contamination,bacteria, fungus or other organic growth that may result from standingwater and from the plants.

In use, plants in containers filled with potting media, soil or otherorganic bases are placed on the capillary mat. Water is provided throughthe supply pipe. The water flows through the perforations evenly intothe reservoir until the reservoir is filled with water. The capillarymat absorbs the water until it is saturated. The potting media in theplant container absorbs the water through existing drain holes in theplant container to make it available to plant roots. This constantsource of water allows the plant to self water for days without the needto refill the reservoir or the need for special attention as normalplant watering requires.

It is to be expressly understood that other embodiments of the presentinvention are included in the claims. The above explanatory embodimentsare provided for descriptive purposes only.

1. A display system for plant displays, wherein said system comprises: adisplay support structure; at least one display case; and an attachmentmechanism for attaching said at least one display case to said displaysupport structure to allow said at least one display case to pivotbetween a substantially horizontal position for use as a display standand a substantially vertical position for compact storage.
 2. Thedisplay system of claim 1 wherein said display stand includes: a firstvertical support structure; a second vertical support structure parallelto and spaced from said first vertical support structure; and saidattachment mechanism includes a first fastener securing said at leastone display case to said first vertical support structure for pivotingmovement relative to said first vertical support structure; and a secondfastener securing said at least one display case to said second verticalsupport structure for pivoting movement relative to said second verticalsupport structure.
 3. The display system of claim 1 wherein said displaystand includes: a first vertical support structure; a horizontal memberon said first vertical support structure; a second vertical supportstructure parallel to and spaced from said first vertical supportstructure; a horizontal member on said second vertical supportstructure; and said attachment mechanism includes a first fastenersecuring said at least one display case to said horizontal member onsaid first vertical support structure for pivoting movement relative tosaid first vertical support structure; and a second fastener securingsaid at least one display case to said horizontal member on said secondvertical support structure for pivoting movement relative to said secondvertical support structure.
 4. The display system of claim 1 whereinsaid display stand includes: a first vertical support structure; a firsthorizontal member on said first vertical support structure; a secondhorizontal member on said first vertical support structure spaced fromand parallel to said first horizontal member; a second vertical supportstructure parallel to and spaced from said first vertical supportstructure; a first horizontal member on said second vertical supportstructure; a second horizontal member on said second vertical supportstructure spaced from and parallel to said first horizontal member; andsaid attachment mechanism includes a first fastener securing said afirst display case to said first horizontal member on said firstvertical support structure for pivoting movement relative to said firstvertical support structure; and a second fastener securing said at leastone display case to said first horizontal member on said second verticalsupport structure for pivoting movement relative to said second verticalsupport structure; and a third fastener securing said a second displaycase to said second horizontal member on said first vertical supportstructure for pivoting movement relative to said first vertical supportstructure; and a fourth fastener securing said at least one display caseto said second horizontal member on said second vertical supportstructure for pivoting movement relative to said second vertical supportstructure.
 5. The display system of claim 1 wherein said display standincludes: a first vertical support structure; a first horizontal memberon said first vertical support structure; a second horizontal member onsaid first vertical support structure spaced from and parallel to saidfirst horizontal member; a second vertical support structure parallel toand spaced from said first vertical support structure; a firsthorizontal member on said second vertical support structure; a secondhorizontal member on said second vertical support structure spaced fromand parallel to said first horizontal member; and said attachmentmechanism includes a first fastener securing said a first display caseto said first horizontal member on said first vertical support structurefor pivoting movement relative to said first vertical support structure;and a second fastener securing said at least one display case to saidfirst horizontal member on said second vertical support structure forpivoting movement relative to said second vertical support structure; athird fastener securing said a second display case to said secondhorizontal member on said first vertical support structure for pivotingmovement relative to said first vertical support structure; and a fourthfastener securing said second display case to said second horizontalmember on said second vertical support structure for pivoting movementrelative to said second vertical support structure; and a fifth fastenersecuring said a third display case to said second horizontal member onsaid first vertical support structure for pivoting movement relative tosaid first vertical support structure; and a sixth fastener securingsaid third display case to said second horizontal member on said secondvertical support structure for pivoting movement relative to said secondvertical support structure.
 6. The display stand of claim 5 wherein saidfirst display case pivots substantially vertical between said seconddisplay case and said third display case as said second display case andsaid third display case pivot substantially vertical.
 7. The displaystand of claim 1 wherein said display stand further includes: at leastone beam extending across the upper end of said support structure forhanging displays from said at least one rail member.
 8. The displaysystem of claim 1 wherein said display stand includes: a first verticalsupport structure; a second vertical support structure parallel to andspaced from said first vertical support structure; and at least one beamextending between said first vertical support structure and said secondvertical support structure to allow displays to be hung from said atleast one rail member.
 9. The display system of claim 1 wherein saiddisplay stand includes: a first vertical support structure; a secondvertical support structure parallel to and spaced from said firstvertical support structure; at least one additional vertical supportstructure parallel to and spaced from said first vertical supportstructure and said second vertical support structure; a first set ofdisplay cases extending between said first vertical support structureand said second vertical support structure; and a second set of displaycases extending between said second vertical support structure and oneof said at least one additional vertical support structures.